Post cover sleeve with upper vessel

ABSTRACT

A protective cover for a stanchion or post that includes an upper vessel that may be used as a planter, ashtray, or other purposes, thereby enhancing utility and/or decorative affect.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/495,933, filed Aug. 18, 2003, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to post covers, bollards, and the like, and more particularly, to a protective cover for a stanchion or post that includes an upper vessel for a plant or other application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stanchions or posts are commonly found in industrial and commercial settings to protect a building structure or fixed equipment from vehicular traffic. Guard posts or protective stanchions are commonly found in public parking lots and the like to protect drive-up windows and equipment, telephone booths, store entrances, and so forth.

Existing guard posts and protective stanchions often comprise a steel post set in the ground or pavement with a portion of the post projecting a desired amount above the pavement surface, commonly on the order of about four feet or so. To enhance the durability of such a steel pipe stanchion, one may fill the steel pipe with concrete. This both closes the interior of the pipe to environmental deterioration and enhances the structural integrity and impact absorbing qualities of the stanchion.

Further, existing stanchions are typically painted to preserve the exterior of the stanchion and resist deterioration by rusting or the like. Protective stanchions are also painted to provide a high visibility color.

However, steps to enhance the durability of a protective stanchion such as painting are typically labor-intensive and require repetitive maintenance to repair chipped paint, worn surfaces, or discoloration over time.

To address this maintenance problem, U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,583 provides a protective sleeve for upright posts and stanchions. The sleeve comprises an elongated body extending between two opposing ends and an interior cavity extending along the sleeve and through at least one of the two opposing ends. Further, the interior cavity has a cross-sectional shape adapted for slip fit engagement with the post. The post is inserted into the interior cavity and the sleeve force fit over the post. According to a preferred embodiment, the sleeve includes a decorative feature in the form of a smooth hemispherical top on the closed opposing end, as shown and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. D464,585. A textured version is shown and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 426,898.

Post sleeves have also been combined with other features. For example, U.S. Pat. No. D374,941 is directed to an ornamental design for a combined stanchion with sleeve and signage. In terms of installation, U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,276 describes the way in which trapped air is used to hold a sleeve onto an elongated member such as a vertical post or pillar. At least one spacer is provided circumferentially around the member, which is positioned proximate to the end over which the open end of the sleeve is placed for installation purposes. As the sleeve is subsequently urged over the member, air trapped between the end of the member including the spacer and the closed end of the sleeve is expelled past the spacer and out the open end of the sleeve between the outside wall of the member. With such a configuration, if one then attempts to pull the sleeve off the member, air movement past the spacer in the opposite direction is again very slow, preventing the sleeve from being pulled off the member without a substantial effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention resides in post covers, bollards, and the like, and in particular, provides a protective cover for a stanchion or post that includes an upper vessel for a plant or other application. For example, sleeves according to this invention include upper vessels that may be used as planters, ashtray, or other purposes, thereby enhancing their utility and/or decorative affect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing that illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a drawing that shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the vessel has a diameter D which is greater than the interior diameter, d;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the invention, including further decorative features associated with the upper vessel portion;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the device of FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 3C is a view looking into the vessel of FIGS. 3A and 3B, showing where the drainage holes may be located.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sleeves used to cover posts, stanchions, and the like. These are often found out-of-doors, to protect vehicles, and to provide other applications, features of this type often being referred to as “bollards.” In distinction with previous designs, the sleeves according to this invention include upper vessels that may be used as planters, ashtray, or other purposes, thereby enhancing their utility and/or decorative affect.

FIG. 1 shows a basic configuration, wherein a sleeve 102 having an inner diameter d, includes an upper portion 104 separated from the lower portion by a partition 108, enabling the upper portion to be filled with dirt, sand, or other like, and used for various purposes, depending upon size, height and so forth. The partition 108 is preferably curved, such that ports 110 may be used to drain excess water collected in the upper vessel, which may be detrimental to some plants. Note that the length of the lower portion may be greater than, less than, or equal to the height of the post or stanchion being covered. For example, L may be short, on the order of 24″, 12″, 10″ or less to act as a ‘cap’ for a relatively taller post.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the vessel has a diameter D which is greater than the interior diameter, d. In this case, the side portions of the upper vessel 204 may be curved, as shown, thereby enhancing the decorative affect. The partition 208 is again preferably domed, enabling ports 210 to be formed for drainage purposes.

The diameter D may any appropriate size, such as from the range of 3 inches to 10 inches, or greater, depending upon the application and the type of post being covered. Height is also flexible, and may range from 3 feet or less for an ashtray or low-to-the-ground planter purposes, to 6 feet or more. Although the sleeve portion shown below the upper vessel is cylindrical in the preferred embodiments, this is not necessary to the invention, as square, polygonal (3-, 5-, 6- 7-, 8-sided, and so forth), oval and other cross-sectional shapes may be used.

FIG. 3A is perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, including further decorative features associated with the upper vessel portion. FIG. 3B is a side view of the device of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a view looking into the vessel of FIGS. 3A and 3B, showing where the drainage holes 310 may be located. In contrast to FIGS. 1 and 2, drainage holes in this case are aimed between the inner wall of the lower sleeve portion 330 and the outer wall of the post or stanchion 220 so that water is directed to the ground in a less conspicuous manner.

In terms of materials, the sleeves according to this invention may be made of any plastic or polymeric material, and may be molded in any way, such as rotational molding, blow molding, and so forth. The devices may be colored in any fashion, as appropriate, including multicolors from the same mold. In-mold decals and other features may also be incorporated into the design. 

1. A sleeve for covering a post, stanchion, or the like, comprising: a lower portion that fits over a post or stanchion to be covered; and an upper vessel, partitioned from the lower portion, enabling plants, sand, or other materials to be filled therein.
 2. The sleeve of claim 1, including one or more drainage holes extending from the upper vessel.
 3. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the partition between the upper portion and the lower portion is domed.
 4. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein: the lower portion and upper vessel have diameters; and the diameter of the upper vessel is greater than the diameter of the lower portion.
 5. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the lower portion is generally cylindrical.
 6. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the upper vessel is generally cylindrical.
 7. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the upper vessel is generally bowl-shaped. 